What would you say if I told you that your life was perfect? You’d probably say something like: “You don’t know my life.” I know, I know. That’s what I’d probably say, too. But really, think about it. Where does this knee-jerk response come from? What ideas undergird our common denial? Let’s do a thought experiment and examine our presuppositions together. I’ll go first…
Your Life is Perfect Read More »
by Missy Andrews Some of us love poetry all our lives. Others write it all of theirs. Edward Estling Cummings
Gateway Stories to the Classics: “enormous SMALLNESS” Read More »
When I was engaged in my homeschooling efforts, I thought I had that wholeheartedness part down. I pushed and strove and worked diligently. But whether I did this “as to the Lord and not to please men,” well, that varied from day to day, from moment to moment. And in those moments when the fear of man drove me, the homeschooling project became a snare, an idol that threatened to devour me and my children…
Finding Energy for the Work of Education Read More »
I was recently troubled by a conversation that occurred in a book club I attend. We’d read The Five Wounds, a contemporary novel by Kirstin Valdez Quade about a dysfunctional, multi-generational Hispanic family. A participant expressed doubt about his ability to read Quade’s novel with proper understanding and “sensitivity,” because he doesn’t share the author’s heritage or gender…
The Wound of Individuality and the Literary Experience Read More »
A guide to understanding what a Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric of reading might look like, and how to apply this pedagogical approach in the classroom.
The Three Arts of Reading Read More »
In this discussion, we’ll be digging up two old and dusty words: “mimesis” and “catharsis.” One, mimesis, describes a process of imitation. The other, catharsis, names the feeling of release or “purging” caused by vicarious experience. We’ll be looking at what these terms have to do with the reading experience, and how they might influence the way we teach Great Books.
Office Hours: Mimesis vs. Catharsis – Two Ways to Read (and Teach) Great Books Read More »
I’m sure I’m not alone when I say this past year of homeschooling was pretty mediocre. Even for long-time homeschoolers like our family, this pandemic has brought about some challenges and pulled more than a few weaknesses into the light! In fact, one of the only subjects that I can confidently say we’ve tackled with any measure of success is literature study. And, for my 8yo this year, lit study meant reading Anne of Green Gables…
Anne of Green Gables and the Case for Challenging Books Read More »
Welp, they’ve started canceling Dr. Seuss, and on his birthday, no less. And to think it could happen to Mulberry Street! March 2, Dr. Seuss’s birthday, is National Read Across America Day (#DrSeussDay across social media). It’s an annual event by the National Education Association (NEA) encouraging reading among school-aged children. Yet this is the moment that the NEA, along with the White House, has chosen to break from tradition…
In Defense of Dr. Seuss Read More »
“Classical Education” and “Liberal Arts Education” are two terms that are often used interchangeably. What is the history behind these traditions and how do the identifications differ from current usage?
What’s In a Name? “Classical Education” vs. “Liberal Arts Education” Read More »
How can a literary education serve those more inclined toward math and science? What is the best way to introduce our left-brained students to the liberal arts, and how much time should they spend in the humanities if they don’t intend to major in those disciplines?
Liberal Arts and the Left Brainer Read More »
